Fla. House speaker picks new majority leader

Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford is making some changes in the top ranks of the House.

The Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford is making some changes in the top ranks of the House.

The Wesley Chapel Republican announced Wednesday that Rep. Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, would take over as the new House Majority Leader.

Crisafulli has already been tapped as the Republican speaker designate after Weatherford steps down. Crisafulli got the spot because Chris Dorworth - who had been slated to become the next speaker - lost his re-election bid last November.

Rep. Steve Precourt, R-Orlando, had been the House Majority Leader. Precourt will now become a committee chairman.

Weatherford also announced a handful of committee chairman changes as well as the creation of a new select committee that will study health care workforce needs.